Elementary School Substantially Separate Program: Special Education Lead Teacher

The mission of all of KIPP Massachusetts schools is to create an environment where students develop the academic skills, intellectual habits, and character traits necessary to maximize their potential in high school, college, and the world beyond. Our program is based on:

• A focus on high-quality instruction supported by rigorous professional development to ensure that our students develop the academic skills necessary to pursue the life they choose.

• High regard for character development to ensure that our students and staff celebrate and develop their character and identity strengths.

• An emphasis on family engagement, because we believe that our students are most likely to be able to maximize their potential when we work in partnership with our students and their families.

• A focus on college readiness for all students so that all students can make choices about their post-secondary education and future.
  

What We Do

We seek to provide a world-class education for students from educationally underserved communities in Lynn and Boston. Our student demographics mirror those of neighborhood schools in terms of race, socioeconomic status, English Language Learners, and students who receive special education services.

Our promise to families is that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop the zest for learning and grit necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in Lynn and Boston.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Vision

At KIPP Massachusetts, we believe that Knowledge is Power. Every day, our team and family have the opportunity to either perpetuate systems of oppression or disrupt them. We are compelled by the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Therefore, we continuously commit to operating as an anti-racist organization. Read more at Diversity Equity Inclusivity Vision.

Who We Are

KIPP Massachusetts began enrolling students in 2004. We currently hold two charters, operating two “districts.” Our first district, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, is based in Lynn, MA. Our second district, KIPP Academy Boston Charter School, is based in Mattapan, MA. Each district is housed on one or more “campuses,” which we use to refer to different grade spans, for example, elementary grades, middle school grades, or high school grades.

In Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary (serving grades K-4), KIPP Academy Lynn Middle (serving grades 5-8), and KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate (serving grades 9-12), are all under our Lynn charter. Admission to any grade in the Lynn district is admission to all remaining grades in the Lynn district K-12. 66% of our students in Lynn are Hispanic, 23% are Black, and 11% are other races/ethnicities.

KIPP Academy Boston(serving grades K-8) operates under our Boston charter. Admission to any grade in the Boston district is admission to all remaining grades in the Boston district, K-8. 68% of our students in Boston are Black, 30% are Hispanic and 2% are other races/ethnicities.

Across both districts, in the school year, 2020-2021 KIPP Massachusetts will serve over 2,100 students.

KIPP National

KIPP Massachusetts is part of the nation-wide KIPP non-profit network of 255 college-preparatory, public charter schools educating more than 100,000 early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school students.

KIPP Massachusetts is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all of our students, families, teachers, staff, and community members.

Elementary School Substantially Separate Program: Special Education Lead Teacher

The Learning Specialist in our Elementary School Achieve classroom will be responsible for instructing a small group of 4 - 8 students in some or all core content areas (Math, Reading, Humanities, and Science) along with another classroom teacher. The Learning Specialist will also be responsible for working collaboratively with classroom teachers to support students' during inclusion opportunities. Learning Specialists ensure that all of our students are growing and achieving by providing students with a variety of supports in the areas of social/emotional skills and academic skills. Additionally, Learning Specialists are case managers for a group of Special Education students, which includes writing and managing IEP paperwork and meetings, communicating with families about student progress, advocating for students as needed, and assisting teachers in creating and managing accommodations and modifications for particular students.

This multifaceted role is ideal for flexible and creative teachers who are passionate about serving our highest-need students and are excited by the challenge of determining the root cause of challenging behaviors and using positive supports to help students build social/emotional skills and independence. Prior experience in working with students who present with challenging behavior and/or social/emotional needs is preferred. Prior experience with Special Education laws and paperwork is a bonus, but is not required for the role; Learning Specialists receive training and assistance from our regional Special Education team. Learning Specialists are empowered to use their expertise to do whatever it takes to help our students succeed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead teach 1-3 content areas

• Plan and execute lessons in those areas

• Complete Functional Behavior Assessments

• Work collaboratively with counselors and other members of the team to create and implement Behavior Support Plans

• Participate in the content teams

• Execute of MCAS Alt portfolios (for applicable students)

• Provide secondary support in content areas where they are not the lead

• Design, execute and refine the vision for student culture alongside school leaders

• Ongoing progress monitoring of student progress towards academic and social-emotional functioning

• Create and maintain a warm, welcoming classroom environment

• Participate in the IEP process for all students in the classroom

• Collaborate with related service providers and general education teachers

• Maintain consistent communication with families

• Other duties as assigned

General Responsibilities:

At KIPP, we believe that an excellent staff member does the following:

• Believes that all of us can and will learn and creates a positive learning environment with high expectations for all students and staff throughout the school;

• Thrives as part of a team-oriented, mission-driven culture;

• Exudes joy and a love of learning every single day;

• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback, coaching, and professional development;

• Constantly assesses progress, communicates results clearly, and uses data to inform decisions and set ambitious goals.

• Has a strong work ethic and commits to doing whatever it takes for students to excel, including committing to an extended work day and remaining available to colleagues, students, and families outside of school hours

At KIPP, we believe that an excellent staff member does the following:

• Believes that all of us can and will learn and creates a positive learning environment with high expectations for all students and staff throughout the school;

• Thrives as part of a team-oriented, mission-driven culture;

• Exudes joy and a love of learning every single day;

• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback, coaching, and professional development;

• Constantly assesses progress, communicates results clearly, and uses data to inform decisions and set ambitious goals.

• Has a strong work ethic and commits to doing whatever it takes for students to excel, including committing to an extended workday and remaining available to colleagues, students, and families outside of school hours

Qualified candidates have the following:

• A belief in the mission and values of KIPP

• Demonstrated success in raising the achievement levels in educationally underserved communities (preferred)

• At least two years of teaching experience (strongly preferred)

• Bachelor’s Degree required

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Application process:

• Submit your resume and application through our online job board at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/KIPP/massachusetts

• The KIPP MA Recruitment Team will select candidates to move forward to the phone interview stage.

• Following the phone interview, the KIPP MA team will invite qualified candidates to interview with KIPP MA School or Regional Office Teams.

KIPP Massachusetts, KIPP Academy Lynn, and KIPP Academy Boston are equal opportunity employers. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, gender identity, religion, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, special need, proficiency in the English language, or a foreign language. We are committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.